Epping Women v Bishops Stortford

So, the final game of their season had finally arrived!
Epping women had come full circle and were playing their first opponents of the season, Bishops Stortford Ladies.

Unfortunately the planned big home game had to be moved to Stortford’s ground due to waterlogged pitches at Thornwwod.

Epping kicked off and immediately pressured the Stortford girls, driving them back into their own 22 with harrying tackles and aggressive line defence.
With Stortford running out of options, their winger was driven into touch on their 22 and Epping set up for the lineout.
BJ fired the perfect darts and Lauza caught clean ball, brought it down and fed Original Hurley, (minus the false eyelashes), who decided to see what the defending Stortford players were made of.
She barged the first one out of the way, fended off another and then dived for the line.
First try scored, 5-0 to Epping
Millie converted easily and the score was 7-0

To their credit, Stortford Ladies rallied and come back up the pitch hard.
Soon crossing in the corner to bring the score to 7-5

With that, the Thornwood girls upped their game.
From their restart, Rosie Wheelhouse flattened the receiver, and Alexa went over and stole the ball.
Rapid distribution from Scrum-half Donna and the ball was zipped to Ella, who stepped and shrugged off the attentions of the Stortford centres to go over near the posts.
Converted by Millie again, score now 14-5

Millie decided to mirror Ella’s attempts snd went over for her own try under the posts 5 minutes later, which she duly converted
21-5

Three more tries followed quickly. In the same fashion, with Epping exploiting the space they found out wide, and sprinting past flailing defenders.
1 more from Millie (unconverted) & 2 more converter from Ella brought the score up to 40-5

The Half time whistle blew and the girls took on refreshments.

The second half was a different story, with the Stortford girls really raising their game.
They managed to hold out Epping, and went over for another try 15 minutes in
Score now 40-10

The final 15 minute period was a real competitive contest, with both teams carrying and hitting hard.
Stortford managed to go over for another try to bring the score to 40-15.

This served to galvanise the girls once more and Epping re-doubled their efforts for one final push.
Lauza stepped and went, Becks ripped and barged forwards, Sha-Kiera hit small gaps and Donna smashed the biggest girls and drove them backwards
Niamh & Larry took the ball at pace and drove up the field.

In such a ferocious game, there were moments of comedy though.
One of the Stortford centres took the ball and managed to break through a gap.
She let out a loud whoop of joy, before being flattened by a chasing Emma and knocking the ball on.

BK took a lovely pass from Niamh on the wing, took the ball into contact, hit the floor and presented the ball perfectly…….. to the opposition !!

Larry popped the perfect short pass to a….. Stortford shirt unfortunately.

But the best was saved for last.
Epping forced their way up the pitch and were sucking in defenders whilst moving the ball to the left wing.
2nd Row NotChloe came screaming through a gap in the defensive line and sprinted the remaining 10 metres to dot the ball down……on the 5m line!!
Ever vigilant, Donna had time to inform her of the mistake, pick up the ball and dive over the real try line to score

Conversion was missed, and the final whistle went with the score at 45-15

A great show of true Rugby core values from this Epping team.
Teamwork, Discipline Sportsmanship and above all Enjoyment from everyone, Stortford included.

This team of girls have provided quality entertainment for everyone who has come along to watch them this season, and should be mightily proud of their finishing 2nd in the league in only their 2nd real season.

Well done to the Coaching team for producing this bonded disciplined team.
Swalesy, Kyle, Kaylum and Harry, ably assisted by Matt & Fluff

Becks O’Plastic Paddy won Back of the Match,
Rottie won Forward of the Match, but the biggest cheer was saved for NotChloe who won the newly resurrected “Dick of the Day” award for her “Non-try”

MVDT